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10 Reasons not to get caught up in the E82 1M Coupe Hype

People have been getting a bit carried away with this 1M hype. BMW reveals part of a fender and everyone "ooohs" and "aaahs" as if the messiah of the motoring world was revealed. Recently, BMWblog posted an article, "Top 10 Reasons Why The 1M Will Rock Your World." We asked BMWblog on twitter what about presenting the other side for a balanced view and were rebuked with, "They can start their own top 10." So, that is exactly what we did.

Top 10 Reasons to not get caught up in the 1M Coupe Hype:

1. The 1M brings the M brand downscale. It essentially completes the dilution of the brand. There was a time where BMW was apprehensive of putting the M badge on just anything and did not want to be like AMG in this respect. M stood for something and was special, it was not a badge you would often see.

2. Rumors are it is manual only. Why? What is with this inconsistency from BMW? They have been shoving paddle shifters down our throats since the dawn of SMG and now all of a sudden they want to show that the manual is "pure?" Well what message is this sending for the M5/M6 which will be DCT only just like the the E60 M5 was SMG only for the rest of the world? Is it truly manual only to keep it "pure" or to keep it from encroaching on M3 territory as well as keeping the cost down? So the next generation M5/M6 will not be pure? Huh?

3. It is coming at the end of the E82 lifespan. Market reach will be very limited which potentially limits aftermarket engine development due to the small base as well as coming with BMW's new anti-tuning measures.

4. Outdated before it hits. The next generation 1 series is already testing, this model was done with before this car even came out.

5. Performance will be kept in check on purpose to not step on the toes of the M3. This car will not be as good as it can be out of the gate.

6. You can exceed the performance today with a 135i with an aftermarket LSD, coil-overs, and a JB3 tune from BMS, exceeding the performance significantly for less money. Not to mention you can get a DCT.

7. Marks the end of naturally aspirated motors for M cars, namely the inline-6's that BMW M made their name with. No matter what they do to the motor, it will never be as impressive or respond as well as an S54, stock or modified.

8. This model represents BMW abandoning its principles for profit and volume. This is no longer the company that made every M model special and was the small guy taking on the big names. Now BMW can just take any base motor, up the boost, stiffen the suspension, change the bumper, and call it an M. This is the beginning of a giant whose goal is simply to destroy everything in its path. They sacrificed their soul for monetary gain and M ideals for marketing.

9. Just will not be a true M, no matter how hard they try to convince us it is. The younger audience won't care, but the hardcore M fans will. A real M car has a naturally aspirated motor that screams with instant response begging to be revved. A real M has a motor not available in base models. A real M does not take shortcuts. We don't care how BMW tries to spin this, they know it is the truth and what was just stated is exactly what they used to once state.

10. This car will be superb, but it marks the end of an era. It marks the end of an era where M's were rare and special. Cars that had motors that won endless awards due to their engineering prowess in squeezing out every last naturally aspirated horse. Cars that did not take shortcuts. BMW will now be able to get away with simply taking base motors and adding more boost, calling them M's. It will no doubt handle well, look good, and be fun to drive. To those of you who don't truly care about history or tradition, it will bring you joy. For us though, this car is bittersweet.

M motors where not available in base Models??? WTF are you talking about. The 3 series was the base model before the 1 series came out. The M3 was the M base model. We had Z3 M coupe and Z4 M coupe nobody argued about those not being pure M both being underneath the M3. If anything this M is more focused that anything after the e46 CSL. I think M3 owners are just butt hurt because there is a new younger sibling who is just as good and if not better than them. Hell we are back on track going inline again. The V8 was meant for those buyers who wanted to have the same engines everyone else was going to have after the RS4 came out. The M3 has a V8 only to satisfy those who wanted to be in with the V8s . You are just mad because you know its going to be good really good.

M motors where not available in base Models??? WTF are you talking about.

You aren't understanding. The S14, S54, etc., are not available in non M's, as in the base models for their series like the 328, 323, etc.. That is WTF I'm talking about.

Originally Posted by FR305

If anything this M is more focused that anything after the e46 CSL.

More focused than the GTS? Huh? This is just a 135 with a more aggressive tune, suspension, and LSD.

Originally Posted by FR305

You are just mad because you know its going to be good really good.

I said it is going to be really good. I'm not mad, I'm sad BMW is selling out and people like you don't even see it and pat them on the back for it. BMW is banking on people like you who don't get it and have a short term memory.

You aren't understanding. The S14, S54, etc., are not available in non M's, as in the base models for their series like the 328, 323, etc.. That is WTF I'm talking about.

You dont even know what engine is definitely going in the 1m

Originally Posted by Sticky

More focused than the GTS? Huh? This is just a 135 with a more aggressive tune, suspension, and LSD.

The GTS is not available in US of A

Originally Posted by Sticky

I said it is going to be really good. I'm not mad, I'm sad BMW is selling out and people like you don't even see it and pat them on the back for it. BMW is banking on people like you who don't get it and have a short term memory.

well you are the one who has a short memory if you cant recall past BMW with turbo technology

Well times changed and turbo technology has proven it self to be the best way to go.

Times certainly have changed. The issue is that BMW can now be lazy and we accept it. They can just up boost, wow, exciting.

Turbo isn't the best way, it is the best way for them to make power while meeting emissions and keeping costs low. They could still do NA but realized profits are greater this way. Ferrari and Porsche are still doing it somehow and that is why they have not lost any respect.

A little too late. The dilution of the M-brand started with the X5M and X6M. They have automatic transmissions and weigh a $#@! load.

Atleast the 1M will be a drivers car, which is what I first think of when it comes to an M-car. Lightweight, agile, good handling car. You could say the current M5, M6, and M3 are pigs in their own right.

X5M and X6M started the non-NA powerplant trend and it will continue in the furture(this is bimmerboost afterall).

A little too late. The dilution of the M-brand started with the X5M and X6M.

Absolutely, and this brings it full circle.

Originally Posted by M3_WC

Atleast the 1M will be a drivers car, which is what I first think of when it comes to an M-car. Lightweight, agile, good handling car.

Absolutely, but we are talking E46 M3 weight. The weight aspect is played up too much. The E92 M3 is the lightest in its class, hardly a pig.

Originally Posted by M3_WC

X5M and X6M started the non-NA powerplant trend and it will continue in the furture(this is bimmerboost afterall).

Yes it will, and this has played into our decision to pick our niche

Originally Posted by M3_WC

Also the Z4M/coupe was only offered in manual, so not a first.

No one has stated this would be a first, but BMW offers the DCT already in the 1, so why now not do so? Especially considering the M5/M6 will be DCT only. The E60 was SMG only as well, except in the US. Just odd inconsistency.

The car will be great and M cars will continue to be the best drivers cars in their class. However, no one seems to be paying attention to what we are losing.

Maybe they don't care? Personally, I would of picked up an e46 M3 if it was turbo'd from the factory, over the 135i. I love iron blocks, and I love the styling, and I love how that car can be tossed. But I didn't want to buy a $20,000 used car and have to pay $15,000 more just to get the power level I wanted, and then worry about things breaking.

Same with the new M3. Yes, that engine is amazing engineering-wise, and sound-wise, and torque-curve wise, but you have to admit, it is a bit weak for the price and is fairly difficult/expensive to extract more HP from. Anything over 6.5psi seems to need meth or race gas to run without pre-det, and although the HP numbers are great, it takes quite a bit of additional money to get there.

If I had lots of money to blow then obviously I would not mind buying a e46 and sending it to HPF, or buying a new M3 and putting a Gintani kit on it, and both of those would be wonderful cars, but unfortunately that is not the case, and I love my 135i for what it is.

If this 1M is priced right, it may solve all the little disappointments I have with my 135i and end up being the ultimate daily-driver for ME.

Exactly, and that is why BMW is able to get away with cutting corners as people don't hold them accountable. BMW got away with diluting M for profits.

Originally Posted by SlicktopTTZ

Same with the new M3. Yes, that engine is amazing engineering-wise, and sound-wise, and torque-curve wise, but you have to admit, it is a bit weak for the price and is fairly difficult/expensive to extract more HP from.

Quite strong for the price actually. What is exceeding it? A sports car like a Vette C6? I can't think of anything else, even the GT500 runs similar ET's stock with far more power. It has quite nice gains with bolt on's and an SC puts it in an elite position. A turbo motor also will never match the response of an NA V8 with individual throttle bodies. Because the motor is amazingly engineered, it will get greater gains with FI. Sure, takes more money, but ultimately you have a better platform. You get what you pay for.

Originally Posted by SlicktopTTZ

If I had lots of money to blow then obviously I would not mind buying a e46 and sending it to HPF, or buying a new M3 and putting a Gintani kit on it, and both of those would be wonderful cars, but unfortunately that is not the case, and I love my 135i for what it is.

An used E46 M3 with HPF turbo is cheaper than this 1M will be, for greater gains.

Originally Posted by SlicktopTTZ

f this 1M is priced right, it may solve all the little disappointments I have with my 135i and end up being the ultimate daily-driver for ME.

That is all that matters, but does it really deserve the M name when basically it amounts to what a 135is should be? The M name no longer carries the weight it did.

If this 1M is just a mildly-tuned 135, it will be a sad day for BMW because there will no doubt be a million "better" 135's that have been modified by their owners that will outperform this new "M" car. If this happens the M name will be scarred for life...

If this 1M is just a mildly-tuned 135, it will be a sad day for BMW because there will no doubt be a million "better" 135's that have been modified by their owners that will outperform this new "M" car. If this happens the M name will be scarred for life...

Exactly, let's hope this thing sets the bar high. The fact it can't top the M3 though means it will be a bit limited. Hopefully the driving dynamics make up for that.

That is all that matters, but does it really deserve the M name when basically it amounts to what a 135is should be? The M name no longer carries the weight it did.

You can't just call this car a 135is. It has too many parts transferred from the M3. It is going to be a better handling short wheelbase M3, minus the V8. The 335is a joke, basically an overboost function and appearance package.

You can't just call this car a 135is. It has too many parts transferred from the M3. It is going to be a better handling short wheelbase M3, minus the V8. The 335is a joke, basically an overboost function and appearance package.

What parts are transferred from the M3 exactly?

The 335is is a joke, no doubt. However, why has the "is" nomenclature seemingly lost its importance and M is being brought down to what an "is" could cover?